About Unconventional Energy | Hydrogen Fuel Cells, Bayonne

What we do

Hydrogen fuel cell systems for drones, UGVs, light mobility and backup power

We design and manufacture light, air-cooled PEM fuel cell stacks and systems, and we integrate them into our customers' products: long-endurance drones, micro- and light mobility, silent field backup power and light work machines, with the whole hydrogen ecosystem around the power source when needed.

We supply stacks and systems to equipment manufacturers and do not compete with them with drones or vehicles of our own.

PEM fuel cell stacks · Hydrogen fuel cell generators · Fuel cell systems for drones

Facts

PEM stacks & systems 500 W to 4.8 kW
EU content > 96 %
Commercially validated technology at TRL 9
Two PCT patent families valid until 2041, 11 patents in total
Cell generations 1–6 developed and produced; Gen 7–8 in development
Drone integrations and generators delivered to European MIL and civil customers

Heritage

More than twenty years of fuel cell development

Our platform is the work of Pragma Industries, the French fuel cell pioneer founded in 2004. In 2026 its technology, patents, trademarks, production equipment and team became part of the Forking Future consortium, and continue here, in Bayonne, as Unconventional Energy SAS.

2004Pragma Industries founded in the French Basque Country; PEM fuel cell R&D begins
2019 · 2024Hydrogen systems in service at the G7 Biarritz summit and the Paris Olympic Games
2026Technology, patents and team acquired by Forking Future Oy; Unconventional Energy SAS founded in Bayonne
2027Production replicated in Finland; Gen 7–8 cells; Nordic sales and application engineering

Over 500 certified hydrogen bicycles delivered; more than 250 in daily use.

Consortium

One consortium, four countries, one European supply chain

Unconventional Energy is the business brand of the Forking Future consortium: independent fuel cell companies in Finland, France, Norway and the Netherlands under one technology platform and one European supply chain. In France the business is operated by Unconventional Energy SAS; in other countries the consortium's local companies use the same brand.

Bayonne, FranceUnconventional Energy SAS: product development, first production, customer supportOperational 2026

Lehmo, FinlandForking Future Oy: consortium lead company (IPR, financing, sales leadership)Since 2024

Varkaus, FinlandStack production line replicating the French model2027

Jyväskylä, FinlandProduction and R&D / industrialisation2027

Imatra, FinlandMILA: test and application centre for mobile solutions2027

Norway · NetherlandsSales, application engineering and defence channels2026–2027

Forking Future website

Questions

Questions about Unconventional Energy

What is Unconventional Energy (unco.tech)?

Unconventional Energy is a European manufacturer of hydrogen fuel cell systems, based in Bayonne, France. It designs and makes fuel cell systems for machines that need to keep going: large industrial drones, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and backup power far from the grid. It is the business brand of the Forking Future consortium. In France it is operated by Unconventional Energy SAS in Bayonne.

What happened to Pragma Industries hydrogen fuel cell technology?

In 2026, the technology, patents, trademarks, production equipment and team of Pragma Industries became part of the Forking Future consortium. The work continues in Bayonne, France, as Unconventional Energy SAS. Pragma Industries was founded in 2004 in the French Basque Country.

Is Unconventional Energy a European supplier of fuel cell power systems for defence and dual-use?

Yes. Our fuel cell systems are designed and made in the EU, with over 96 % EU content and no critical components from outside the EU. Drone integrations and generators have been delivered to European military and civil customers.

People and contact

Talk to the team

Pierre Forté

Operations Manager · Unconventional Energy SAS, Bayonne

Stack design, test equipment, production and sales in France. info [at] unco.tech

Pekka Niskasaari

Head of Consortium, Board Member and Founder · Forking Future Oy

Consortium sales, financing, Finnish sites and Nordic partnerships. pekka [at] forkingfuture.com

Request a quote

Hydrogen fuel cell systems for drones, UGVs, light mobility and backup power

More than twenty years of fuel cell development

One consortium, four countries, one European supply chain

Questions about Unconventional Energy

Talk to the team

Official profiles